Dispersal dairy herd goes under the hammer

By Geoff Adams

Feb 5, 2024

This 77-litre cow, on her fourth lactation and with a low cell count, sold for $4200 — just under the sale top of $4400.

Victorian farmers chasing high production cows to build their dairy herds snapped up a large percentage of a dispersal herd that went under the hammer on Friday, February 2.

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A total of 140 lots, representing a 100 per cent clearance, sold for an average of $3140.

The cows, heifers, springers and a few bulls were sold by Craig Cox’s Craden Park at Mooroopna.

Auctioneer Jayden Ferrari from Northern Victoria Livestock said there were about 12 active buyers with strong demand for fresh in-calf cows.

The top price was $4400.

“Coming into autumn the buyers were looking for some extra milk in the vat, and these were herd tested so they could buy with confidence,” Mr Ferrari said

Mr Cox said although the sale was live-streamed, all of the bids came from buyers who attended.

“I think we were selling at the right time of the year. Milk companies are looking for supply and farmers are wanting to meet their targets.”

Mr Cox is shifting emphasis back onto his beef livestock selling business after having built up the dairy herd.

“Beef clients have been pressing me to get back into the job, so I will be seeing more of them.”

Further cattle from the herd will be sold at the next sale on February 16.